50% Off! Beat the market in 2025 with InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Rugby-Shorthanded Rebels condemn Waratahs to winless campaign

Published 24/04/2021, 10:09 pm

SYDNEY, April 24 (Reuters) - The Melbourne Rebels had two players red-carded but still condemned the New South Wales Waratahs to a winless Super Rugby AU season with a 36-25 victory at Western Sydney Stadium on Saturday.

With both teams out of playoff contention after the Western Force beat the Queensland Reds on Friday, there was only pride on the line in a match between two teams who have badly under-performed this season.

Tries from Stacey Ili, Michael Wells, Rob Leota and Matt Gibbon combined with 16 points from the boot of Matt To'omua proved enough to give the Rebels the win, but it remains to be seen if it is enough to save the job of coach Dave Wessels.

The Waratahs conceded a try after 36 seconds when a To'omua crosskick found Ili on the wing, but they battled their way back into the contest after Rebels number eight Isi Naisarani was shown a red card for a head-high tackle and a couple of punches.

Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and fullback Jack Maddocks crossed in the 20 minutes the Rebels were short-handed, and the home side were within three points of the lead at 21-18 at the break.

Lock Leota crossed from close range soon after the resumption to extend the lead but the Waratahs struck back through flanker Carlo Tizzano, who forced the ball down under a pile of bodies on the try line.

Prop Gibbon crossed in the 66th minute, however, giving the Rebels enough breathing room to hold on with 13 men when James Hanson was yellow-carded and Pone Fa'amausili saw red in the last five minutes for another dangerous tackle.

The Rebels finished fourth in the standings with three wins from eight matches, while the Waratahs were rock bottom with only three losing bonus points.

The ACT Brumbies and Western Force, who finished second and third, play off next weekend to decide who takes on the Queensland Reds for the Super Rugby AU title in Brisbane on May 8.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.